You may discover that, even though you are using a smaller amount of compre ed air, the electric energy co umed does not diminish proportionately and occasionally does not le en at all. In one case, after the leaks were fixed, the system pre ure rose and the electric power co umed increased. A frequent reason for this result is that the delivery controls are just not re onding to system demand.
The two most effective ways to run an air compre or are at full load and off. Unloading controls that operate continuously restrict the air delivered to the system. This is always a compromise that is never as efficient as operating at full load. A great deal has been written about how capacity controls operate. Now it is time to look at some of the common problems that affect their ability to perform.
When working effectively, unloading controls do several things. They match su ly to demand and minimize over-pre ure while maintaining the minimum acceptable pre ure. They make i ut power proportional to air flow demand. They turn off and reactivate air compre ors as required.
The working pre ure band is the pre ure range the control can an from fully loaded flow to fully unloaded. Well-pla ed systems hold as narrow a band as po ible. The first control type is automatic start/stop that automatic starts and sto the electric motor or driver. A pre ure switch shuts off the motor at the u er pre ure limit and restarts the motor at a lower pre ure. Heat buildup in AC electric motors limits the number of starts allowed over a given time, particularly for motors larger than 10 to 25 hp.
Unloading with continuous-run controls lets the motor run while the compre or is unloaded. This matches su ly to demand, usually on the basis of system pre ure. Step controls are also called load/no-load or two-step that kee the inlet either fully open or fully shut. The unit is at full load from the preset minimum pre ure point to the preset maximum pre ure.
The basic performance is fully loaded or full flow up to the preset maximum pre ure when the air flow shuts off completely. The unit then idles at no flow until pre ure falls to the preset minimum when the unit goes to full flow. In this control, the compre or ru at its two most efficient modesfull load and full idle.
When controls, piping or storage is misa lied, not only is there little or no power savings, but short cycling can result. Too much backpre ure in the interco ecting system can lead to short cycling or ineffective unloading. A duty cycle of 20 seconds on and 20 seconds off damages equipment and shorte the life of bearings, coolers, motors and separators.
James Hunt has ent 15 years as a profe ional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole ectrum of interest. Read more at http://www.air-compre ors-central.info.
BY:VooFox.net
- A Journey to the Truth, Sohrab ChamanAra
- My Book of Life (2 Volumes), Oluwadahunsi
- A Review of Disturbing The Peace By Vaclav Havel
- Shadow of an Indian Star .......... Mollys Reviews
- Book Review: Italian Family Dining by Edward Giobbi and Eugenia Giobbi Bone
- Book Review: The Little Book That Beats The Market
- The Isaiah Effect
- PS: I Love You By Cecilia Ahern
- Do You Read Books?
- The Outsourcing Rush